Learning things the hard way has its merits.

If you hadn’t bought that nonrefundable ticket, you’d never have discovered that the instant coffee at Des Moines International was so darn good. Had you not spent the evening in pointy, toe-cruncher stilettos, you’d be unable to appreciate the true comfort of slipper socks.

But sometimes you want something that’s easy to grasp — like the beauty of Modern Adornment. The new collection of necklaces and earrings is made of hand-picked gemstones and 14-karat-gold-filled chains. A variety of faceted quartzes (like mint, lemon, and peach) as well as Malaya garnet rondelles, amethyst coins, and milky green chrysoprase teardrops are found in tight clusters or on draping chains.

Standout styles like Esme, Muse, and Luxe feature asymmetrical, layered chains with a few stone accents. They feel fresh and classic at the same time. There are never more than two types of gems in a piece, making it the sort of stuff you wear, not the kind that wears you.

A lesson you learned all too well during your matching-leggings-and-sweater phase.

Available online at modernadornment.com.